The button-down collar, the ultimate casual collar:-

Greetings,

Today we will be introducing the famous button-down collar, collars that have small buttonholes at the tip of each collar point which corresponds to a small button on each side of the shirtfront.

Let's get one thing straight. The button-down collar is a casual collar, and by casual we mean it shouldn't be worn with a suit, or at your work place. Before we go into the reasons why it is so, let's look at how the button-down collar came about. The button-down's roots can be detected on the polo fields of England during the 19th century, where the polo players wore traditional shirts for polo matches and in order to prevent their collars from flapping up (riding around in giant stallions causes that), causing a visual distraction, they sew buttons on their collar tips, fastening them down for matches. 

Now, many may argue that buttons are perfectly acceptable on both formal and informal garments, citing suit coats that has numerous buttons. However, we need to understand that the buttons on suit coats, no matter how many, all have their purposes, which is to close the garment. The function of a button down collar is to fasten the collar tips so that it doesn't flap up. Let's look at the collars normally worn with a suit, be it a straight point collar or a cutaway collar. These collars have collar stays and are stiff enough so that the collar tip doesn't fly around. Unless you ride a horse during work, there is no way your collars will be flying around and thus, a button-down collar has practically no uses when it comes to formal dressing. 

That being said, the button down collar is a fantastic collar when it comes to casual wear, or even during Friday dress downs. You can rock it with suit pants during a Friday dress down or with a pair of jeans during your “lazy-Sunday” brunches. It is one of the collars that people absolutely love when it comes to casual wear. 

Remember, a button down collar is a great collar, for casual wear, not for formal wear. You'll never find a suit wearing model wearing a button-down collar in proper shirt-maker catalogues. For those who know about shirts, anyone wearing a button-down collar with a suit can instantly be identified as uninformed. 

We hope you have enjoyed this article, do share with your family and friends so they will learn something today!

If you are interested in our shirts do visit www.waynelowe.com

Showing Up At Work With The Right Shirt Collar:-

Greetings,

Today we will be talking about the Straight Point Collar. This type of collar is clearly identifiable by a small spread between the collar points and is the most common dress shirt collar found in men's dress shirts. Originating from military uniforms at the turn of the 20^th century, the Straight Point Collar or any variations thereof has established itself as the de facto collar of the world due to its ability to remain relatively neutral in all occasions.

Going for an interview? Going for an important meeting? First day of work at a corporate? Wear the Straight Point Collar. Whenever you are in doubt about what collars are appropriate at an occasion, wear the Straight Point Collar as it is perceived as a “safe” and “normal” collar in any environment, you can never go wrong with it.

Side note, people with wider or round faces can also opt for the Straight Point Collar to provide a more trimmed and sharp look.

If you find this article useful, do share with your family and friends! We will be talking about another collar type next week so stay tuned.

If you are interested in our shirts do visit www.waynelowe.com

Cheers!

Are you projecting the right image at work?

What you wear very much influences what people think and make of you at work. In the coming weeks we will be sharing tips with you on how you can enhance your image and make an instant impression at work! Lets get the ball rolling with an article about your shirt collar.

The collar of a shirt is often overlooked by many, and yet, it is arguably the most important in making an impression - the collar is the first thing people notice when they see you! 

A collar that “stands” and stays straight gives you a smart and sharp look; portraying an image that instills confidence be it to your potential employer, clients or colleagues.

There are many manufacturers in the market who produce soft, crumply collars which leaves the wearer with an untidy and “jaded” image. 

So, what keeps a collar sharp and crisp? There are two essential items that keep your collar in shape, namely the collar-stays (“pokey” plastic pieces found in both tips of the collar) and the additional interlining fabric in the collar (good manufacturers will insert this interlining fabric for comfort and shape retention although it is more costly). These two items keep your collar straight, sharp, and crisp, bringing about a professional image.

If you’ve enjoyed this piece, be sure to share this article with your friends and family and like our Facebook page for more interesting and useful tips! We will be talking about collar types in our next article. Keep watching this space and stay sharp!

If you are interested in our shirts do visit www.waynelowe.com

What Makes A Shirt Great? Yarn & Ply (Part 2)

Hello folks,

Today we are going to continue with our topic on “What Makes a Shirt Great” by enlightening you on the meaning of “Ply” and how it affects your choice as a consumer. Just so you know, we have talked about “Yarn” in our preceding article, so be sure to catch up on that one if you’ve missed it.

What is “Ply”?

In the shirt industry, “Ply” refers to the thickness of the yarn thread in your clothing. They usually consists of single ply or double-ply (also known as 2-ply) fabric which simply means two fine threads twisted and intertwined together to form a single, strong thread.

Which is better: Single ply or 2 ply?

If you are looking for high-quality wear, 2-ply shirts are the way to go. They are remarkably soft, more durable and offer a whole new level of comfort – when compared to single ply shirts. They are also directly linked to the yarn number of your shirt: yarn numbers above 80 are generally 2-ply because of the fineness of the thread. 

What about 2-1 ply and 2-2 ply shirts? What’s the difference?

A shirt fabric is weaved using yarn threads, one which runs vertically, known as warp, and the other runs horizontally, known as weft. 2-1 ply shirts basically mean the warp used to form the shirt is 2 ply (2 strains of fine thread combined into 1); while the weft is only 1 ply (only 1 thread). 2-2 ply shirts means both the warp and the weft are made using double-ply yarn threads.

Should I go for 2-1 ply or 2-2 ply shirt?

A 2-2 ply shirt is softer when compared to a 2-1 ply shirt because of the fineness of the thread running through the shirt on both the warp and weft. However the sheer number of threads used in 2-2 ply shirts will also mean it will be denser and a little heavier than 2-1 ply shirts. So all you have to do is to decide whether you want a softer shirt with a little weight or sacrifice a little softness in favour of lighter wear.

From now on, do remember to take note of both the ‘Yarn Number’ and ‘Ply’ when shopping for a shirt. Do note that this only applies to cotton and other numbering systems may apply for other fabrics.

Now that you know the essence of what makes a great shirt, be sure to share this article with your family and friends. Do remember to “Like” our Facebook Page and stay tuned for our next article.

If you are interested in our shirts do visit www.waynelowe.com

What Makes A Shirt Great? Yarn & Ply (Part 1)

Greetings everyone,

Have you ever wondered what separates a good quality shirt from a great one? Every shirt connoisseur will tell you to look at the “yarn number” and “ply” of the shirt. But what exactly is “yarn number” and “ply”? In this article (Part 1), we will tell you all you need to know about “yarn number” and continue with “ply” in our next article.

Many shirt brands do not reveal a shirt’s yarn number to consumers. This is puzzling because the yarn number is directly linked to the quality of a shirt and affects consumers in making an informed decision on choosing a shirt that fits their needs and lifestyle.

What is Yarn Number Anyway? 

Yarn number is a unit of measurement to determine the fineness of the yarn thread on a shirt. It is calculated based on the length of yarn needed to make up a specified weight. This means the higher the yarn number, the finer the yarn will be – providing for a softer and more comfortable shirt. 

Difference Between High and Low Yarn Numbers 

Shirts with a higher yarn number are typically softer and way more comfortable to wear when compared to shirts with low yarn count. Its finer properties produce a smooth touch while the sheer number of threads woven together makes for a more durable wear. 

What Yarn Number Suits Me Best? 

At Wayne Lowe, we recommend a yarn number of between 80 and 140 for daily wear. This is because shirts with too high a yarn number are so fine that they tend to wear off faster. They also tend to easily wrinkle in an unpleasant fashion. Shirts like these are more suited for formal or special occasions; and not everyday wear. 

The Relation Between Yarn and Ply

In the clothing industry, “ply” refers to the layers of yarn that make up a shirt. Shirts with yarn numbers of above 80 are usually two-ply because the threads are so fine that they are intertwined and paired to form a single, strong thread. However single-ply shirts with a yarn number of 70 are not a problem for Egyptian cotton fabrics which tend to be stronger than the average cotton – something we will elaborate further in our future articles. 

Now that you’re aware of a shirt’s Yarn Number, be sure to learn more about “Ply” in our upcoming article on “What Makes a Shirt Great? (Part 2)”. Remember to share this information with your family and friends. Do also check out our Facebook Page and Watch this space. Stay tuned! 

If you are interested in our shirts do visit www.waynelowe.com

Having Wrinkles On Your Shirt Is Bad. Or Is It?

Greetings,

Today we will be talking on why having wrinkles on your shirt is not a bad thing after all. Read on to find out why!

Cotton shirts tend to wrinkle, but there are a host of reasons why you should embrace it:

A little wrinkle won’t hurt:

Cotton has always been known to be the material of choice when producing high-quality shirts due to its all-natural fiber and soft, breathable properties. A little wrinkle on it should be the least of your concerns. 

Wrinkle-free shirts do not mean better quality:

Polyester shirts or even cotton-blend shirts, wrinkle little or don’t wrinkle at all. For the sharp-eyed, this tells them you are wearing a shirt that is of inferior quality. 

Wrinkle-free 100% cotton shirts may compromise health and comfort:

100% cotton shirts that are labeled as “wrinkle free” or “wrinkle resistant” are usually treated with a layer of chemical that destroys the softness and breathable properties of cotton. The chemical also contains Formaldehyde - a potential cancer-causing agent. 

Wearing cotton exudes character:

Having a wrinkle or two should not deter you from wearing cotton. More than anything else, a slight wrinkle on it shows that you value quality just as much as you value form. 

Wearing cotton enhances your image:

Many tend to take the easy way out and wear wrinkle-free shirts when they are in a hurry. Wearing cotton conveys to clients, bosses, and the like, that you are well-prepared and actually took the time to iron your shirt. Ironing your shirt is also the manly thing to do! A real man takes good care of himself; and your other half will love you for it. 

Now that you know the relationship between wrinkles and shirts; we hope you will make the right choice when it comes to choosing a cotton shirt. Be sure to share this information with your friends and watch this blog for more fun facts and tips! Do also check out our facebook page!

If you are interested in our shirts do visit www.waynelowe.com

Five Reasons Why You Should Wear 100% Cotton Shirts

Greetings,

As promised, here is an article on “5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Cotton” that is in line with our belief of sharing our knowledge to help you make the best possible choice in picking the perfect shirt. 

Cotton is a material that has always been at the heart of making high-quality shirts. Many manufacturers use materials such as Polyester and Chief Value Cotton (CVC - a cotton-polyester mix) as a substitute for cotton. At Wayne Lowe, we use cotton to offer you uncompromised quality and comfort. Here’s why:

Cotton is “breathable” and leaves no sticky feel 

Polyester shirts are usually shiny and wrinkle-free. Unlike cotton, these shirts don’t “breathe” and absorb water, making them hot to wear and leaving a sticky-sensation after sweating. In some cases, they smell like burnt rubber due to the low-quality of fabric that is being used to make to shirt. 

Cotton is ideal for hot, humid weather

CVC shirts are considered by many to be an upgrade from polyester. They are made by combining cotton and polyester fabrics. Although they are wrinkle-resistant – retaining the quality of polyester - CVC shirts are not as breathable as cotton, and are certainly not ideal for comfort wear in hot tropical climates. 

Cotton is all natural and cooling 

Cotton is a natural fabric which gives shirts good air circulation. This keeps your skin cool and prevents skin irritation due to heat and sweat. Shirts made of cotton are also finer and softer – offering you extra levels of comfort at all times. 

Cotton is easy to clean 

Cotton easily absorbs water and is the only fiber that becomes stronger when wet. This makes cotton shirts the ideal wash-and-wear fabric. Cotton can both be hand washed or washed in the washer at high temperatures without damaging the fabric.

Cotton is safe for your skin

Many do not realize that cotton is hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant. Simply put, it is the best choice of material for people who suffer from asthma, allergies, or those with sensitive skin. 

And there you go! We hope you have enjoyed and benefited from this article. Watch this blog for our next article to get more useful information and tips on anything and everything about shirts. Do check out our facebook page and stay tuned! 

If you are interested in our shirts do visit us at www.waynelowe.com

We are Wayne Lowe, shirt enthusiasts striving to make great shirts for people

www.waynelowe.com

Greetings,

We've been around for a while now and we noticed we haven't really introduced ourselves to all you lovely Facebook followers. So here goes, an introduction about Wayne Lowe and the team behind Wayne Lowe.

Wayne Lowe is a brand that is established for one sole purpose, to provide you with the best value-for-money high quality 100% cotton shirts. This goal is achieved by adhering to four core principals, namely: direct sourcing, local manufacturing, stringent quality control and transparency.

We source our fabrics directly from reputable fabric suppliers across the globe, thus cutting out the costs involving a middle man. The fabrics are then manufactured locally and we work hand-in-hand with the shirt manufacturers to ensure that our shirts are manufactured in the most cost efficient manner without compromising the quality of workmanship. Our team then painstakingly perform stringent quality checks on each and every shirt before they are carefully packaged and delivered to your doorstep.

Transparency is a core value at Wayne Lowe that makes us stand out from the sea of shirting brands around the world. At Wayne Lowe there are no vague descriptions about the construction of your shirt. A simple “high yarn number, high ply count” description isn't going to cut it. Every detail of the construction of our shirts is displayed on our website, be it the exact yarn number or the exact ply (not to worry if you have absolutely no idea what these are, they will be explained in future articles :D). We do not misrepresent our products or make empty promises. You get exactly what you have paid for and we take pride in keeping it that way.

The Wayne Lowe team consists of a group of very different individuals with one thing in common, the enthusiasm in crafting comfortable good quality cotton shirts that evince style. We are here to share with you our knowledge in relation to different type of dress shirts, the ways to care for them, when to wear certain shirts and so on.

Well, that's Wayne Lowe in a nutshell. We will be coming up with an article about “Why Wear Cotton Shirts” soon. Stay tuned!